Resident Evil Requiem Trailer Reveals Busy City Setting

A new trailer published by Nvidia has revealed that Resident Evil Requiem will feature gameplay set in a bustling city environment. This setting represents a major shift for the Capcom survival horror franchise, which has historically focused on isolated or destroyed locations.

The footage has generated polarized feedback from the community. While some viewers praised the visual fidelity of the city streets, others expressed concern regarding the potential for an open-world layout. The trailer offers only a brief glimpse of the area, showing protagonist Grace Ashcroft walking along a street with active traffic and pedestrians.

The Nvidia trailer provides the first look at an urban setting within Resident Evil Requiem. Unlike previous entries that featured deserted or partially destroyed cities like Raccoon City, this footage depicts a functioning metropolis. Cars are seen driving down the street, and pedestrians are visible strolling along the sidewalks.

This environment is a stark contrast to the gameplay sections previously shown. Earlier marketing materials highlighted traditional horror settings, including a dark hotel and a mansion typical of the series. The inclusion of a city block that resembles settings from titles like Watch Dogs or GTA is a significant visual departure.

Despite the focus on the city, the trailer is described as a brief glimpse. It contains only a few shots of the location and a short snippet of protagonist Grace Ashcroft walking. It remains unclear how expansive this area will be in the final game or if it serves as a hub or linear sequence.

Response to the trailer has been immediate and divided. On social media platforms, comments ranged from praise for the location's aesthetics to shock at its existence in a Resident Evil game. The core of the debate centers on whether this indicates an open-world design.

Critics voiced specific concerns about the technical feasibility and series identity. One user wrote, "I am immediately alarmed by this," adding that the "RE Engine and open layout really doesn't mesh well." Another comment stated, "Open world and Capcom don't mix," reflecting skepticism about the developer's ability to deliver a compelling non-linear experience.

Conversely, supporters argued that the city is likely a visual backdrop or a short, linear segment. One speculation suggests, "Bet its just gonna be a 1-minute long sequence where you can only walk forward until you reach the destination/hotel." Others noted that the trailer showed the area during both day and night, which may simply be a method to demonstrate the capabilities of Nvidia's technology rather than indicating a dynamic time cycle.

The appearance of the city area highlights how much Capcom has kept hidden regarding Requiem. Until recently, the publisher maintained significant secrecy around the project. It was only last month that Leon S. Kennedy was officially confirmed as a co-protagonist, despite numerous leaks suggesting his return.

The decision to keep the city setting out of prior trailers suggests a deliberate marketing strategy to unveil major surprises. Fans are now left questioning how much of the game takes place in these urban environments versus the traditional horror locations previously shown. The reveal adds to a growing list of questions surrounding the title's narrative and gameplay structure.

In addition to the setting, the community remains focused on narrative details revealed in earlier footage. Specifically, the "ominous-looking mark" visible on Leon S. Kennedy's neck has sparked concern regarding his fate in the story. The combination of the new setting and unresolved plot threads continues to fuel discussion.

The trailer serves as a showcase for the RE Engine, Capcom's proprietary game engine. The ability to render a dense, bustling city environment suggests technical advancements or specific optimizations for the engine. However, the community remains cautious about how this will translate to gameplay performance and design.

As the release window for Resident Evil Requiem approaches, further reveals are expected to clarify the scope of the city environment. Whether it serves as a narrative set-piece or a fully explorable area remains the central mystery. For now, the trailer has successfully generated buzz by challenging long-held expectations of the franchise's setting.